I've just bought a set of s/h 13" 6J wheels (minilite stylee, black centres, polished rims, since you ask ) and at least two of the tyres will need replacing fairly soon, so I'm looking for advice.

They currently have Yokohama Advan A048s in 185/60/13 which look pretty "slick" i.e. not much tread cut into them.

I want the replacements mainly for road use wth occasional (i.e. 1 or 2 per year) trackdays/activity days.

I have seen various people plug the merits of things like 888s but it seems that they are more track-orientated tyres, so I think I am looking for something different. On my existing 14" wheels I have Yokohama A539s.

So, any advice on:

- size? the tyres on my current wheels are 185/60/14s, so 185/60/13s will reduce ride height by 0.5". Should I stick with the 185/60/13s, or go for 185/70/13s (do they exist?) or 205/60/13s to keep more or less the same overall diameter? Maybe have large tyres on the back only?

- make/type? given my requirement for mainly road tyres

- where to get them (preferably locost )?

TIA

Simon

[Edited on 02.09.2010 by Humbug]

Id go for 205/60 13 on the rear which will keep your speedo almost correct (assuming it runs off the transmission)

Id run 185/60 fronts and accept the extra 0.5 inch rake.

Id happily use 888s on the road, unless you regularly drive in a pissing rain with standing water.

I dont personally rate a539s but I know a lot of people who do. The alternative is Toyos new mid tyre, T1-R?

Cheapest place is normally online if you have a local garage who will fit them without remortgaging your house! Try camskill, blackcirlces or mytyres for a start.

Regarding which tyres, I had a similar question and went for Yokohama 021r these are dead grippy but also work in the wet. So a good compromise. They wear out (before 10k miles), but anything grippy will.

George Polley is the cheapest, find an event that he is attending and he will put them for you. Phone for pricing, but around £150 for 2.

Thanks for the reply...

I have an electronic speedo, so that is not a concern.

Just looked at mytyres.co.uk as a f'rinstance and checked their quotes for local fitting: £15 fitting + £2 for alloy wheels + £2 disposal for the old tyres = £19 a corner!

Any more for any more?

do 205 tyres fit ok on a 6J wheel? i thought it should be a 6.5 or 7J for a 205...

I have 205/13 on my 7 << and in my opinion, 205 are to wide for such a light car,
In the dry they are good, but a smaller width would be better, but in the rain 205's are useless, and in fact dangerous !!

I could actually turn the steering lock to lock above 60mph with out any direction change,

Also it will wheel spin in any gear in the wet

just my pennys worth and no doubt i will get flamed for my comments

But if i was doing it again, perhaps 195 at the back and 185 front would be the max to go

Regards

Steve

I've just fitted R888's to my new 13" wheels. 185/60*13 on the front are just right, but the 205/60*13 on the rears really do need 7" wide rears to keep the sidewalls square.

I might seek out a 7*13 set to fit to the rear as i've just picked up 4 Yoko 032's for little cash so i'm stuck with those on the back.

As for the wet, anything upto standing water and they seem to cope with the 180+ that my car kicks out

ATB Dan.

[Edited on 2/9/10 by scutter]